It’s easy to focus on the most popular anime coming out in 2025, but that only tells part of the story. While those big hits are worth watching, there’s a lot more great anime from the year that deserves attention. Many solid shows flew under the radar, and true fans should seek them out for a hidden gem.
Even though critics and viewers haven’t given *Billionaires’ Bunker* rave reviews (it currently has a 57% rating), it’s become a huge hit on the platform, landing in the top two shows overall. It’s important to remember that the score is based on a limited number of critic reviews (only eight so far), but it has been steadily improving since the show premiered last week. Think of it as a blend of *Silo* and *Paradise*, with a touch of *Lost* – it offers plenty for fans of science fiction and suspense, with lots of unexpected twists. While it might not be as critically acclaimed as *Silo*, *Billionaires’ Bunker* delivers strong acting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a good choice for those who enjoy character-focused stories about survival and a new spin on the post-apocalyptic genre.
In a recent interview, Elisabeth Moss said she felt creatively fulfilled with the final episode of *The Handmaid’s Tale* and how the series concluded, stating, “Yes, I do.” The show followed June Osborne’s difficult journey to rescue her daughter Hannah from Gilead, and some viewers were disappointed when she ultimately failed.
Now that *Weapons* has been in cinemas for nearly two months, it will soon be available to stream on HBO Max. Looking at the release dates of other Warner Bros. movies on the platform this year, October 24th seems like the likely date. However, HBO Max hasn’t officially announced a release date for *Weapons* yet, so these plans are subject to change. Here’s a summary of what we know so far.
Martin Scorsese’s *Goodfellas* remains the gold standard for gangster biopics, but several films since have successfully followed a similar approach. While Henry Hill’s story is the most famous from the ’90s crime wave, it’s not necessarily the most gripping. Just seven years after *Goodfellas*, another fantastic true-crime gangster film emerged, boasting an incredible cast and a surprisingly effective director. The movie is particularly memorable for Al Pacino’s powerful performance, further solidifying his status as a genre legend. Many consider his role as ‘Lefty’ Ruggiero to be one of the most overlooked achievements of his career.
A major complaint from viewers of the TV series was how it differed from the book, especially the ending. Many felt the show became quite distinct from the source material as it progressed, with new plot points that strayed too far from the original story. Interestingly, despite fan concerns, the author himself praised the show and even defended the changes as being essential. Nevertheless, these deviations alienated many viewers, leading to lower ratings and the show’s cancellation after three seasons.
The new series *Hotel Costiera* released all six of its first-season episodes on Prime Video on September 24th. John Williams plays Daniel De Luca, a former Marine who now solves problems for a high-end hotel. According to FlixPatrol, the show is currently the fourth most popular TV series on Prime Video, following *Gen V*, *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, and *The Terminal List: Dark Wolf*. Critics generally like the show, giving it an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but audience opinions are more mixed, with a viewer score of 50%.
This approach echoes Disney’s strategy with Marvel and *Star Wars*, where they heavily invested in television series. At first, it worked well, with shows like *WandaVision* and *The Mandalorian* receiving praise from critics and audiences, and even earning Emmy nominations. However, some believe that making so many Marvel and *Star Wars* TV shows has lessened the impact of their movies, which may explain why films like *The Marvels*, *Captain America: Brave New World*, and *Thunderbolts* didn’t perform as well in theaters, especially since they were connected to streaming series. Now, the question is: will expanding these famous horror franchises to television, even if the shows aren’t hits, hurt their reputation as big-screen experiences? Or is horror uniquely capable of staying strong across different formats?
Beyond the established names, some new writers are really shining. Jack Bensinger, Maddie Wiener, Rachel Pegram, Jo Sunday, and Claire McFadden are all incredibly funny. I’ve been a fan of Bensinger’s quirky humor, Wiener’s sharp wit, and McFadden’s sketches for almost ten years, back when they were all working in Chicago. Sunday brings a captivating, offbeat energy, and Pegram excels both on stage and on the page. I’m not familiar with the two new hires from The Lampoon, but I’m optimistic. If the show embraces their fresh, alternative perspectives, this season has the potential to be excellent.
A recent fan translation on X (formerly Twitter) of a booklet included with the *Dragon Ball DAIMA* Blu-ray release revealed a secret to how voice actress Masako Nozawa created the legendary *Dragon Ball* character, Son Goku. The booklet featured an interview with Nozawa, where she discussed her decades-long experience voicing Goku and how she’s consistently brought such an iconic character to life.